WPRO Ladies Rajsich & Waselenchuk Win U.S. Team Qualifying Division

Congratulations to Kim Waselenchuk/Rhonda Rajsich who won the U.S. Team Qualifying Division at the 2012 USA Racquetball National Doubles Championships presented by HEAD/Penn. Congratulations to Ben Croft and Rocky Carson on the men's side and to all the other winners and medalists

Join us for the National Singles, May 23-28, 2012 at the Meridian Sports Club in Fullerton CA.  The WPRO Ladies will be there in full force to claim their spot on U.S. Team.

Sponsorship Opportunities are available.  Contact; sponsorships@wprotour.com

  

For Immediate Release ~ New Year’s Resolution

The week right after New Year’s is always filled with post-holiday blues, large credit card bills, extra pounds and back to work for many!  One group of working professionals though is eager to get back to work on the courts!   The WPRO professionals will kick off the 2012 second half of the season and team up with the IRT to compete in the Coast to Coast California Open in Canoga Park, California.

Canoga Park and the Spectrum Club will host both the best men and women in the game and crown the first champions of the 2012 year!  Event director Debbie Tisinger-Moore will bring back the tours for another year, to one of the nicest and largest racquetball facilities in the country.  It’s a spectators dream to have both tours in town, with a stacked amateur draw to compliment the pro players. 

As many of us enjoyed time with family and festivities, many pro players took the few weeks off to recover and regroup.  Don’t be surprised if it was short lived for many, as the second half of the season is always critical for rankings and the push to end the season at the top.  Improvements in games, conditioning and strategy were on the front burner for the ladies coming off the holiday break.   

It will be a continued battle at the top slot as Longoria continues to play solid ball, Rajsich will have her hands full to knock Longoria out of the lead.  Samantha Salas continues to steady at #3 and a strong second half season could propel her confidence as she seeks to take down the long reigns of both Rhonda and Paola.  Tour veteran Cheryl Gudinas will return to the draw after missing the Arlington stop due to surgery.  A first time semi-finalist in Arlington, Krystal Csuk will be a tough matchup, and consistent ball will keep Kerri Wachtel in the semis as well.  Young guns Cristina Amaya and Da’monique Davis continue to quest to knock off some higher seeds. 

If you are in the area and want to kick off the New Year with some great racquetball head down to the Spectrum Club, tournament information is linked below!  To a new year, a second half of what has been an exciting year, and may it keep rolling. 

http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/home.asp?TID=9125

Sarah Warhaftig

WPRO Media Director   sarah@wprotour.com

WPRO - Puget Sound Challenge QFs

Top seeds Rhonda Rajsich and Paola Longoria are through to the semi-finals at the 2011 Puget Sound Challenge Pro/Am in Olympia, Washington, but in the semis they'll face two upset winners.

Kristen Bellows, a former top 4 player on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) tour, won again Saturday as she defeated 4th seed Adrienne Fisher, 9-11, 11-5, 12-10, 11-5. Bellows will play Rajsich in the semi-finals later Saturday, as Rajsich beat Krystal Csuk, 11-4, 11-4, 11-3.

Longoria defeated Cristina Amaya, 11-2, 11-6, 11-4, in the quarter finals, and she'll play fellow Mexican Susana Acosta, who defeated 3rd seed Kerri Wachtel in five games, 11-6, 5-11, 11-13, 11-6, 11-9.

The semi-finals will be played Saturday evening with the final slated for Sunday at noon.

2011 Puget Sound Challenge, Olympia, Washington

Quarter finals

Rhonda Rajsich d. Krystal Csuk, 11-4, 11-4, 11-3

Kristen Bellows d. Adrienne Fisher, 9-11, 11-5, 12-10, 11-5

Susana Acosta d. Kerri Wachtel, 11-6, 5-11, 11-13, 11-6, 11-9

Paola Longoria d. Cristina Amaya, 11-2, 11-6, 11-4

Semi-finals

Rhonda Rajsich vs. Kristen Bellows

Paola Longoria vs. Susana Acosta

Follow the bouncing ball....

Posted by The Racquetball Blog at 7:00 PM 0 comments

Labels: WPRO

WPRO - Puget Sound Challenge QFs

Top seeds Rhonda Rajsich and Paola Longoria are through to the semi-finals at the 2011 Puget Sound Challenge Pro/Am in Olympia, Washington, but in the semis they'll face two upset winners.

Kristen Bellows, a former top 4 player on the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) tour, won again Saturday as she defeated 4th seed Adrienne Fisher, 9-11, 11-5, 12-10, 11-5. Bellows will play Rajsich in the semi-finals later Saturday, as Rajsich beat Krystal Csuk, 11-4, 11-4, 11-3.

Longoria defeated Cristina Amaya, 11-2, 11-6, 11-4, in the quarter finals, and she'll play fellow Mexican Susana Acosta, who defeated 3rd seed Kerri Wachtel in five games, 11-6, 5-11, 11-13, 11-6, 11-9.

The semi-finals will be played Saturday evening with the final slated for Sunday at noon.

2011 Puget Sound Challenge, Olympia, Washington

Quarter finals

Rhonda Rajsich d. Krystal Csuk, 11-4, 11-4, 11-3

Kristen Bellows d. Adrienne Fisher, 9-11, 11-5, 12-10, 11-5

Susana Acosta d. Kerri Wachtel, 11-6, 5-11, 11-13, 11-6, 11-9

Paola Longoria d. Cristina Amaya, 11-2, 11-6, 11-4

Semi-finals

Rhonda Rajsich vs. Kristen Bellows

Paola Longoria vs. Susana Acosta

Follow the bouncing ball....

Posted by The Racquetball Blog at 7:00 PM 0 comments

Labels: WPRO

WPRO - Puget Sound Challenge Round of 16

Kristen Bellows continues to make an impact in her return to the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) tour, as she reached the quarter finals at the 2011 Puget Sound Challenge Pro/Am in Olympia, Washington, with a win over 5th seed Jennifer Saunders, 10-12, 11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8.

The win sets up a re-match with 4th seed Adrienne Fisher, who was a straight games winner over Keely Franks, 11-8, 11-2, 11-2. Bellows defeated Fisher in the US Open last month.

The other top seeds were also winners. Top seed Rhonda Rajsich beat Cheyenne Hayes, 11-5, 11-4, 11-2; second seed Paola Longoria defeated Grace Hughes, 11-3, 11-0, 11-6; and third seed Kerri Wachtel needed four games to get by Jocelyn Loredo, 11-5, 11-3, 9-11, 11-9.

The quarter finals and semi-finals will be played on Saturday with the final slated for Sunday.

2011 Puget Sound Challenge, Olympia, Washington

Round of 16

Rhonda Rajsich vs. Cheyenne Hayes, 11-5, 11-4, 11-2

Krystal Csuk d. Da'monique Davis, 12-10, 11-1, 11-7

Kristen Bellows d. Jennifer Saunders, 10-12, 11-6, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8

Adrienne Fisher d. Keely Franks, 11-8, 11-2, 11-2

Kerri Wachtel d. Jocelyn Loredo, 11-5, 11-3, 9-11, 11-9

Susana Acosta d. Linda Scales, 11-4, 11-4, 11-4

Cristina Amaya d. T. J. Baumbaugh, 6-11, 11-8, 11-2, 10-12, 11-8

Paola Longoria d. Grace Hughes, 11-3, 11-0, 11-6

Quarter finals

Rhonda Rajsich vs. Krystal Csuk

Adrienne Fisher vs. Kristen Bellows

Kerri Wachtel vs. Susana Acosta

Paola Longoria vs. Cristina Amaya

Round 1

Cheyenne Hayes d. Tammarrian Rogers, 11-9, 11-1, 1-6

Grace Hughes d. Kimberly Ferina, 11-8, 11-3, 11-5

Follow the bouncing ball....

Posted by The Racquetball Blog at 12:29 AM 0 comments

Labels: WPRO

Rhonda Rajsich and the Girls just wanna have fun!...and the boys

Olympia WA, November 18, 2011 – Rhonda Rajsich shows up at Ballys, dons a two-foot tall wig and glasses, not because she wants to, but because she has too.  The Pro ladies of Racquetball (WPRO) are playing at the Puget Sound Challenge this weekend at Ballys and Rhonda showed up early for a junior clinic put on by Cheyenne Hayes.   

The WPRO is currently working with the GoGirlGo! Program to support each local community where a WPRO tour stop is scheduled.  “It’s a chance to give back to the community and the girls, showing them the diversity of our elite female athletes, hearing their stories, talk about staying fit and healthy and playing a little racquetball’, says Commissioner Rock.  It’s the least we can do.   We will also be accepting racquet donations at each of our tour stops to help build and support these upcoming athletes.

Rhonda had a blast with the girls and boys who came in for the Junior Clinic, each kid played a quick game with her and had a photo opportunity.  But, it wasn’t about how hard they could hit the ball, it was more about what kind of advantage they could get.  Each kid had the opportunity to roll the dice and see what advantage they had playing the #1 World Champion.  Rhonda donned a wig with glasses, barely being able to see at all, the wig falling down  over her eyes,  and sunglasses that could block out a nuclear explosion, or she had to play with a newspaper, and there were many strange, fun items Rhonda was forced to play with.  Each kid rolled the dice and took the advantage, what great fun and the laughter echoed throughout the gym.  

These kids showed tenacity, a great spirit and the love of racquetball…there’s a future pro among them.

Later in the evening several of the other pro ladies landed in Olympia to thank the sponsors by playing Sponsors Doubles.  Each sponsor drew from a stack of cards that had the pro they would be paired up with, what great fun.

Thank you to all the sponsors who helped bring the Women’s Professional Racquetball Organization and the Pro Ladies to Olympia, WA

About GoGirlGo!

GoGirlGo!, is an award winning curriculum and sports education program, works to improve the health of sedentary girls and to keep girls involved in physical activity by supporting programs and organizations that work with girls.

  

About the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization

The Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO) is the governing body for the highest-level professional female racquetball players in the world. It is currently comprised of elite athletes representing over a dozen countries including the United States, Mexico, Chile, Canada, Puerto Rico, Japan, Dominican Republic and Venezuela.

Paola Longoria Mexico's Champion

Paola Longoria Michelle Lopez

BY GUILLERMO GONZALEZ MARTINEZ

Nebraska’s Only Latino Owned Bi-lingualSpanish/English Newspaper

Paola Longoria Lopez became the golden girl of the Pan American Games to win three gold medals in racquetball individual, doubles and team. But it is also a great lover of fashion, the catwalk, for she has own brand clothing and racket. From the nine years focused on being a winner and she preferred the gold medals. 

And thanks to support from her parents, today the Queen who revels in her beauty, she sighs, which is an example to follow, and moreover, many young girls who write her letters because they want to be like her. "I think I'm the woman who pulled up for the Mexican sport, not the triumph demerits the men and my other colleagues.  It is the discipline and mindset that is the modern woman, which is what led her to the top. She made ​​history and it is the result of what she is capable of. " Longoria Lopez is simple, though now her feet have many subjects waiting only to see it up close her beautiful and elegance.

Paola, like any great athlete, has had lows and highs. But her tenacity to be the best has led her to break down the barriers that prevented her from being a winner. She struggled, as did the unicorn who every day went into the woods looking for ways to be reflected among the lights illuminating the trees until he succeeded. So Michelle sought (her middle name) leave a lasting figure in the Pan. "I am 22 years old and racquetball has left me great satisfaction. I'm still learning, and want to give my country medals this is what has motivated me to keep me going. Now it's really cool to see so many nice messages to me.

 But it is that the Federation now gets hundreds of calls to ask where you can practice this sport. That is the legacy she leaves as an athlete, "knowing that you are  a champion is the best thing that can happen. It is a difficult lifestyle, but always leaves me with an unforgettable experience." Mexico is the face of international level and it is loved by all who trusts her. "I told myself I could do it", even though she was injured. "My ankle and knee ached, but I told myself to win, and thank God we won the medals". I have a favorite phrase, which is… Let's play hard (Let's play hard).

Puget Sound Challenge ~ Women's Professional Racquetball Tour Stop

We are excited to announce that the Women’s Professional Racquetball Association (WPRO) is heading back to Washington to display some of the greatest talent in the world during the Puget Sound Challenge.

The event will be held November 17-20, 2011 here at our local Bally Total Fitness Olympia, WA. This tournament is consistently one of the most anticipated amateur events in the Northwest and has grown into one the most well-attended tournaments in the area, with first class hospitality and exposure for sponsors.  We are offering you the opportunity to showcase your company on a grand stage with the top female racquetball players in the world.

The dynamic players of the WPRO travel throughout the United States, Canada and South America, to promote health and fitness among women and youth by introducing them to the thrilling sport of racquetball and exhibiting tremendous athleticism and mental toughness at the highest level.

WPRO members earn ranking points by competing in sanctioned tour events which, combined with the prize money purse and special bonuses, provide great incentives for local amateurs to participate. Event sponsors are given primary consideration public address announcements, media and television exposure throughout the championships.

The WPRO players will be available for personal appearances, clinics, and various other public relations activities on behalf of event sponsors throughout the weekend. There will be a Sponsor Doubles round robin for the Top 8 contributors to this event where select sponsors will be paired up with pro’s for a fun evening of doubles, photo ops and networking.

During the past few years, through the efforts of many, Washington’s Women’s Racquetball has grown tremendously.  A few short years ago, there were almost no women’s divisions being held at tournaments.  Now, you can find a Women’s event going on almost every month as well many women taking the time to compete at our many local tournaments.  Never has women’s racquetball been more exciting in our area. What a great time to bring in these top professionals in the world!

We invite you to participate as a premier sponsor and we hope that you will find the necessary information regarding the Puget Sound Challenge tournament in this package.  Should you decide to support this event, you will be making an investment in the future of women’s racquetball not only in our region, but around the world.  

Sponsorship Opportunities:  sponsorships@wprotour.com

Website Sign-Up  :http://www.r2sports.com/tourney/home.asp?TID=8826